Step-by-Step Aortic Valve Replacement With a New Rapid Deployment Valve

Purpose: Rapid deployment/sutureless aortic valve replacement is aimed at minimizing the invasiveness of surgical aortic valve replacement. We describe the implantation techniques of a new rapid deployment aortic valve, focusing on its unique and challenging features.

Description: The EDWARDS INTUITY Elite aortic valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) represents a hybrid between the surgical PERIMOUNT Magna Ease (Edwards Lifesciences) pericardial valve, but with advanced features of the percutaneous SAPIEN valve system (Edwards Lifesciences). A flexible delivery system, with a balloon-expandable subannular frame, facilitates insertion. Important implantation steps include an extended oblique "hockey-stick" aortotomy, symmetrical annular debridement, intra-annular and supra-annular sizing, guiding suture placement, and balloon expansion of the subannular valve frame.

Evaluation: Although this valve provides advantages over conventional aortic valves, its implantation is unique, and special operative considerations must be heeded for optimal outcomes. Implantation requires minimal suturing, enabling smaller incisions. Also, the intra-annular inflow frame may promote improved hemodynamics.

Conclusions: The INTUITY Elite system represents a significant innovation in bioprosthesis technology. It has been shown to be safe and effective, but its implantation requires detailed attention to several unique operative steps.